STOLEN HOURS

UK, 1973, 97 minutes, Colour.
Susan Hayward, Michael Craig, Diane Baker, Edward Judd, Paul Rogers.
Directed by Daniel Petrie.

Stolen Hours is a glossy remake of Edmund Goulding's 1939 classic Dark Victory. This was a star vehicle for Bette Davis. She was supported by George Brent as the doctor. by Geraldine Fitzgerald as her friend. Humphrey Bogart and Ronald Reagan had supporting roles. This attractive-looking rather glossy production was directed in England by Daniel Petrie, who made such soap operas as The Bramble Bush and such excellent films as A Raisin In The Sun.

Susan Hayward is a glamorous lead, a strong heroine. Diane Baker has some naive charm as her sister. Michael Craig has some solid support as the long suffering and supportive doctor. There is quite a good English cast. The material is full of sentiment - and indeed is the basic ingredient of soap opera. The film at times veers into sentimentality. There was a strong television re-make, going back to the title of Dark Victory in the '70s with Elizabeth Montgomery, Michelle Lee and Anthony Hopkins.

1. The popularity of the plot and theme? The classic status of Dark Victory? The television remake? The value of remakes in general?

2. The '60s glossy style for this production? A Susan Hayward vehicle? American and British co-production? Colour photography, musical score?

3. The atmosphere of the glossy affluent world? Wealthy American divorcees, wealthy doctors? The international racing set? Audience interest in this kind of lavish world? Suffering and death within this context? How real? Authentic?

4. Audience interest in and response to themes of illness, death? Love? How well were these themes treated here?

5. Susan Hayward's strength and presence as Laura? A credible American divorcee? Her smart set, the liaison with Mike Bannerman, her wealthy background? Fashion? International travel? Friends? Extravagance? Her love for Ellen? The manifestation of her illness as she was driving? Her withdrawing from the party? Mike Bannerman's concern? Setting up John Carmody to examine her? Her reaction? Her final acceptance of her illness - the persuasiveness of Carmody? Her undergoing the operation? The contribution of Dr. Eric McKenzie? and his reassurance? Her happiness as a result of the operation? Her discovery of the truth? Her reaction and going to Monza, resuming the old way of life in reaction? Carmody's facing her with the truth? Her realization of her need, love? The joy of the marriage? Carmody's work and her happy and quiet way of life? How was this symbolised in her walks and friendships with Peter? Ellen's presence? Her isolation at the end. her discussion with Peter and her facing death? A soap opera heroine? How much authentic interpretation in Susan Hayward's performance?

6. John Carmody - the doctor, the friend, his concern about Laura, his reaction to her extravagance? His persuading her to have the operation? His devotion to her, his journeying to Monza and persuading her about the truth? The marriage, his practice? The tenderness of his love for her before her death?

7. Ellen and her arrival, concern about Laura, supporting the operation, her knowing the truth, her grief? Her helping Laura through her last months?

8. Mike Bannerman - liaison with Laura, concern, his bowing out for Carmody? The international racing set? The background of Monza and Europe?

9. Eric McKenzie? and his performing the operation?

10. Peter and his symbolising Laura's new and quiet way of life? His presence and helping her with her death?

11. The background world of society contrasted with the Cornish countryside? The film's emphasis on quiet values on contrast with the fast jet set?

12. Themes of illness, facing illness, facing death with courage and dignity? Love and support? Was the film merely soap opera or something more?